The Sistine Madonna in the Royal Gallery at Dresden, Saxony Essay

The Sistine Madonna in the Royal veranda at Dresden, SaxonyThe most(prenominal) beautiful picture in the area is the Sistine Madonna in theRoyal Gallery at Dresden, Saxony. It was painted by Raphael as analtar-piece for a church in Piacenza, Italy. In a chilly corner of thegreat Palace of Art it is now placed, probably to inhabit until thecolors shall fade. It is the only picture in the fashion. The figures areof life size. When that room is entered all voices are hushed, and allmerriment silenced. The place is as sanctum sanctorum as a church.In the centre of the canvas is the Virgin return with a young, almostgirlish face or surpassing loveliness. In her eyes affection andwonder are blended, and the features and the figure are the mostspiritual and beautiful in the worlds art.I have wondered where Raphael found that face. It is non voluptuouslike the Italian, nor heavy like the German, nor light like theFrench, nor cold like the women of more northern nations. It is theid eal womans face for all nations and suppurates, and merely it is typical ofn unity.In the Mothers arms is the Divine Child, with those strange,far-away-looking eyes that casual visitors so little understandeyesthat even in babyhood face reading the future, and beginning to seethe greatness of the worlds sorrow. Kneeling on one side, below them,is St. Sixtus, the nearest perfect of all pictures of strong andvenerable age that was ever painted on the other side Santa Barbara,only less(prenominal) beautif...